A DOLPHIN found dead on a beach was likely killed by a trawler, scientists say.

Zoological Society of London scientists announced young common dolphin stranded on Lancing beach had injuries consistent with bycatch.

The female was found last month with notches on either side of its beak and impressions along its body consistent with marks from a fishing net.

“The dolphin was in good nutritional condition and had evidence of recent feeding in the gastrointestinal tract,” said Rob Deaville of dolphin death watchdog Cetacean Strandings Investigations Programme.

“The findings were therefore considered to be consistent with bycatch or incidental capture in fishing gear.”

Many believe large offshore trawlers are to blame for recent dolphin strandings.

Brighton Dolphin Project manager Dylan Walker said “indiscriminate” fishing methods by larger ships were responsible for thousands of dolphin deaths.

“Bycatch is a huge problem in the Channel,” he said.

“As far as we know, most of the boats in Sussex are much smaller and fish closer to the shore, which is not generally where common dolphins are.

“Bottlenose dolphins are more common closer to the Sussex coast.

“We don’t want to paint fishing in a bad light, but some fishing practices are quite indiscriminate.

“It’s all about improving fishing practices and making them more sustainable.”

Sean Ashworth of the Sussex Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority, which is responsible for all sea six miles off the coast, agreed large trawlers affected dolphins more.

“It’s more of a problem concerning bigger trawling boats, particularly bass trawlers, because common dolphins hunt offshore,” he said.

“We don’t like the idea that cetaceans are caught in the fishing gear but it’s a question of how can we address that should we need to.”

Further offshore, the Marine Management Organisation is responsible for policing fishing vessels.

A spokesman said fishing vessels longer than 12 metres are required by law to fit “pingers” to some nets to drive away marine life with sounds.

“The Marine Management Organisation and Defra continue to work with the fishing industry to reduce the bycatch of dolphins,” he said.